Pilates was invented by Josepy Pilates in Germany in the early 1900s.
It was designed to strengthen the bodies of sick children and it developed as an exercise to relieve pain for the injured and to improve strength during the First World War.

After Joesph Pilates immigrated to USA, this exercise spread to America and Europe.
Uniforms and postures of Pilates are similar to that of stretching and free gymnastics.

The still movement of Pilates also looks like yoga. It can be considered as combinational style of mind control in Asian yoga and Western stretching.